Are athiests hypocrites?

[9Westy9]

Seems like according to these guys disbelief in anything is hypocritical

 

[mycorrhiza]

The classic: If lack of belief is a belief, then not collecting stamps is a hobby.

I find no hypocricy in not believing in a God. Skepticism goes both ways and atheists in general need proof for belief.

 

[Viker]

The following isn't indicative of what I believe, but the Christian metal band August Burns Red has a song called "rationalist" that had some interesting lyrics I thought I'd post for debate:



I'm not 100% sure what the lyrics mean but Im guessing its something along the lines of: atheism, which is the assertion that God does not exist, often asks theism for evidence that it is true, or argues that theism has no evidence.. but what evidence is there that atheism is true? Are they not both simply "beliefs" ?

Aside from the fact that EVERYONE is hypocritical on some things.. do you guys think atheists are hypocritical in the manner that this band indicates?

It would clear things up if everyone could agree that atheism really means a lack of belief and lack of assertion that a god exists and not a belief that god does not exist. My brand of atheism is just a lack of any belief/assertion. I think that an active belief that a god does not exist should be labeled dystheism or something else altogether. Maybe I should label myself a "lacker" and separate myself from "atheists".

If someone really believes a god does not exist I don't see them at fault for anything either. My position might make me a little tiny bit agnostic as well as being atheistic.

 

[Sunstone]

It would clear things up if everyone could agree that atheism really means a lack of belief and lack of assertion that a god exists and not a belief that god does not exist. My brand of atheism is just a lack of any belief/assertion. I think that an active belief that a god does not exist should be labeled dystheism or something else altogether. Maybe I should label myself a "lacker" and separate myself from "atheists".

If someone really believes a god does not exist I don't see them at fault for anything either. My position might make me a little tiny bit agnostic as well as being atheistic.

I think Dawkins scale of atheism might be useful here. A one on his scale represents absolute certainty that god exists, while a seven on his scale represents absolute certainty that god does not exist. Dawkins himself says he's a six. That is, he recognizes an extremely remote possibility that a god might exist.

 

[Viker]

Seems like according to these guys disbelief in anything is hypocritical

Since they choose not to believe in Kali they are hypocrites!

 

[Viker]

I think Dawkins scale of atheism might be useful here. A one on his scale represents absolute certainty that god exists, while a seven on his scale represents absolute certainty that god does not exist. Dawkins himself says he's a six. That is, he recognizes an extremely remote possibility that a god might exist.

Not bad as a scale. I kind of agree.

 

[Sunstone]

There is a growing body of science that now strongly suggests many "religious" notions are ultimately deeply rooted in human genes. For instance, everyone seems to have an inherent predisposition to "agent detection", which in turn appears to be a precursor to belief in such things as ghosts, spirits, willful dead ancestors, jinns, goblins, gods, and so forth. And there appear to be several other modules in the human brain -- all genetically based -- that working together give humans a strong predisposition to belief in supernatural entities and such.

In that limited sense, all of us might -- if we stretch things a bit -- be said to be believers. However, that would be stretching it to the point of absurdity.

In other words, just because someone might for an instant think a sudden nearby noise was a spirit, while a moment later he or she concludes it was nothing but the wind, does not -- by any means -- mean that he or she is a hypocrite for having at first believed the noise was a spirit.

 

[Copernicus]

There is a growing body of science that now strongly suggests many "religious" notions are ultimately deeply rooted in human genes. For instance, everyone seems to have an inherent predisposition to "agent detection", which in turn appears to be a precursor to belief in such things as ghosts, spirits, willful dead ancestors, jinns, goblins, gods, and so forth. And there appear to be several other modules in the human brain -- all genetically based -- that working together give humans a strong predisposition to belief in supernatural entities and such.

In that limited sense, all of us might -- if we stretch things a bit -- be said to be believers. However, that would be stretching it to the point of absurdity.

In other words, just because someone might for an instant think a sudden nearby noise was a spirit, while a moment later he or she concludes it was nothing but the wind, does not -- by any means -- mean that he or she is a hypocrite for having at first believed the noise was a spirit.

I'm a bit surprised that the Wikipedia page did not cite anthropologist Stewart Guthrie's classic Faces in the Clouds, which was published in 1995. Guthrie used to be considered the primary source for so-called "agent detection", although he didn't use that term. Dawkins talked about the idea in The God Delusion, but he apparently had never read Guthrie. He attributed the idea in a footnote to someone who had suggested the idea in a letter to him.

 

[Sunstone]

I'm a bit surprised that the Wikipedia page did not cite anthropologist Stewart Guthrie's classic Faces in the Clouds, which was published in 1995. Guthrie used to be considered the primary source for so-called "agent detection", although he didn't use that term. Dawkins talked about the idea in The God Delusion, but he apparently had never read Guthrie. He attributed the idea in a footnote to someone who had suggested the idea in a letter to him.

Interesting. I wasn't aware of Guthrie's work either. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[gnostic]

Anyone can be a hypocrite. It doesn't matter what religious or non-religious background a person may have. It also doesn't matter with cultural background, or if the person is rich or poor.

Hypocrisy is not just domain of the religious or theist.

The problem is stupid lyric of that song.

You skeptic, you. You believe in unbelief.
Now you’re the hypocrite.

Just because a person "doesn't believe", that's not indication of person being hypocrite.

And just because a person is a skeptic, that doesn't mean a skeptic is a hypocrite.

The stupid band doesn't know what hypocrisy is. The singer or songwriter or band is showing his/her/their ignorance.

 

[kai]

I think were inclined to produce an Answer to a question, or any observable occurrence if one isn't obvious at the time.

 

[bezuidenhout]

I think people tend to forget that even religious people are atheistic (in the sense of not believing) towards all other religions or belief systems. Therefore it is reasonable to assert that religion is more hypocritical that atheism, since atheists (or agnostics) are sceptical towards all belief systems. This may be a bit severe (and generalising), but from an objective standpoint, it holds merit.
As for atheists being hypocritical by seeking less evidence for their beliefs than for others', I agree to some extent. It is impossible for a human being to be completely objective, therefore it is natural to question things you don't believe more than you question your own beliefs. I think, however, this tendency towards hypocrisy is a human trait, not an atheist one.

 

[Caladan]

I'm not 100% sure what the lyrics mean but Im guessing its something along the lines of: atheism, which is the assertion that God does not exist, often asks theism for evidence that it is true, or argues that theism has no evidence.. but what evidence is there that atheism is true? Are they not both simply "beliefs" ?

Aside from the fact that EVERYONE is hypocritical on some things.. do you guys think atheists are hypocritical in the manner that this band indicates?

Which religious claims do atheists make that make them hypocrites? atheists lack a belief in the supernatural or in a deity, how do you go about to prove a negative? how can anyone call me a hypocrite simply because I lack faith in the supernatural?

 

[colaboy]

I think people tend to forget that even religious people are atheistic (in the sense of not believing) towards all other religions or belief systems. Therefore it is reasonable to assert that religion is more hypocritical that atheism, since atheists (or agnostics) are sceptical towards all belief systems. This may be a bit severe (and generalising), but from an objective standpoint, it holds merit.
As for atheists being hypocritical by seeking less evidence for their beliefs than for others', I agree to some extent. It is impossible for a human being to be completely objective, therefore it is natural to question things you don't believe more than you question your own beliefs. I think, however, this tendency towards hypocrisy is a human trait, not an atheist one.

Interesting

 

[colaboy]

Which religious claims do atheists make that make them hypocrites? atheists lack a belief in the supernatural or in a deity, how do you go about to prove a negative? how can anyone call me a hypocrite simply because I lack faith in the supernatural?

Yes. I'd agree with this. I don't believe in god but this isn't hypocritical unless I begin to practise a religion to avail myself of the benefits of faith - although what those benefits might be is unclear - or some other reason.

 

[crystalonyx]

The following isn't indicative of what I believe, but the Christian metal band August Burns Red has a song called "rationalist" that had some interesting lyrics I thought I'd post for debate:



I'm not 100% sure what the lyrics mean but Im guessing its something along the lines of: atheism, which is the assertion that God does not exist, often asks theism for evidence that it is true, or argues that theism has no evidence.. but what evidence is there that atheism is true? Are they not both simply "beliefs" ?

Aside from the fact that EVERYONE is hypocritical on some things.. do you guys think atheists are hypocritical in the manner that this band indicates?

Atheism is not a belief, it is an observation, that no real evidence exists for theist's claims.

 

[beerisit]

Atheism is not a belief, it is an observation, that no real evidence exists for theist's claims.

Absolutely well said. Non belief in god is ALL there is to atheism, atheists can believe in bigfoot, ufo's or whatever, it is not a worldview there are no rituals. Atheists don't believe in any god. Much like christians don't believe in Zeus. Can it get any simpler.

 

[ArtieE]

And there appear to be several other modules in the human brain -- all genetically based -- that working together give humans a strong predisposition to belief in supernatural entities and such.

"Scientists say they have located the parts of the brain that control religious faith. And the research proves, they contend, that belief in a higher power is an evolutionary asset that helps human survival."

Belief and the brain's 'God spot'

Just search for this phrase I can't post links yet.

 

[beerisit]

"Scientists say they have located the parts of the brain that control religious faith. And the research proves, they contend, that belief in a higher power is an evolutionary asset that helps human survival."

Belief and the brain's 'God spot'

Just search for this phrase I can't post links yet.

Does that mean that those who no longer believe in god have lost a part of their brain?

 

[atropine]

Atheist 1: "I don't believe in any sort of deity, but if actual proof was found that one existed, I would reconsider my stance."

Atheist 2: "I don't care about some stupid fairytale. Even if some fundie lunatic supposedly found proof, I wouldn't even bother looking at it."

Atheist 1 is not a hypocrite. Atheist 2 is. Not being willing to look at proof because one is so entrenched in their mindset is the exact same problem that many fundamental religious people have, at least as most Atheists seem to think.